Arizona Wildcats vs. Ducks Week 4 game balls & stats

Let Pac-12 play begin.

In what was expected to be one of the biggest shootouts of the weekend, the Oregon Ducks defeated the Arizona Wildcats 49-0 in the Pac-12 opener.

The Ducks displayed a whole lot of defense and a decent amount of sloppy play in the Pac-12 opener, but when it came down to it, their offense was as good as advertised by the time the clock struck zero.

The Ducks faced their first real challenge of the 2012 season when the Wildcats visited Autzen Stadium, and while the team was tested early, they put it together and showed late why they’re the No. 3 team in the country.

Offensive Game Ball

It may not have been a flashy performance, but Colt Lyerla earned his first Game Ball of the season against the Wildcats in week four.

When Colt Lyerla took his first snap at running back, fans were a bit perplexed, but pleasantly surprised with what they saw. As it turned out, the Ducks had officially unveiled a new package with Bryan Bennettat quarterback and the tight end alongside him in the backfield.

The Oregon Ducks have taken care of business so far on the field, going unbeaten in non-conference play.

Lyerla ended the game with seven rushes and 63 yards (9.0 yards per carry, 1 touchdown) to go along with two catches and 53 yards through the air (26.5 yards per catch).

Defensive Game Ball

The Oregon defense had a field day with Arizona’s offense on Saturday.

With Arizona’s struggles early, the Ducks caught more than a few breaks when it came to keeping momentum on their side in the first half.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu deserves credit for those mistakes, as he nabbed his first interception while the Wildcats were driving in the first quarter.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu wasn’t done, though, as he returned his second interception of the game for a touchdown and broke the contest wide open early in the fourth quarter.

Arizona struggled throughout and the Ducks came away with their most impressive defensive performance of the 2012 season.

Special Teams Game Ball

De’Anthony Thomas was finally given an opportunity to return a punt in the third quarter, and he took full advantage.

De’Anthony Thomas returned the kick up the middle for 38 yards after breaking tackles and shedding defenders with the slippery running style for which he has become infamous.

The return was great, but the result was a momentum shift that led to the Ducks’ demolition of the Arizona defense.

Sometimes a game can be broken wide open with one special teams play, and in week four, that’s exactly what happened.